World War II Database

1. Clayton says:
23 Jun 2014 07:49:34 AM

This is a very nice, and relatively rare, photograph of the earliest marks of PzKpfw. II. It is easy to see some influence from the PzKpfw. I in this machine, most notably are the road wheels and the bar that links them all together. Whereas it is hard to say where this photo may have come from, or when it was taken, it can be narrowed down. From my knowledge, I can say that these machines were largely relegated to training roles, however some did see active front-line service. The greatest number to fight at anyone time of this mark was in Poland, though I have seen pictures of this vehicle also in France and even in the Balkans campaign.

2.  Bill says:
29 Jan 2017 05:23:21 PM

IMPROVING THE BREED:

The early Panzer I was designed as an interim vehicle, armed with 2 x MG 34, 7.92mm machine guns, w/1,525 rounds of ammo, but I'm sure crews carried as much as they could under battlefield conditions crews were protected by 13mm armor.

NEXT STEP UP: PANZER II

The design was a scaled up Panzer I and had more armor protection for the crew of three. Armament was 1 x 20mm cannon, ammo came in 10 round magazines total ammo was 180 rounds in 18, 10 round magazines.

SECONDARY ARMAMENT:

1 x MG 34, 7.92mm machine gun w/2,550 rounds. File photo shows Panzer II carrying what looks like extra boxes of ammo and spare-parts.
Both Panzer I and Panzer II crews were armed with personal weapons, as pistols, MP 40, hand grenades and mines.
As the war continued, like the Panzer I, the Panzer II chassis were also modified to carry howitzers and anti-tank guns.